Children at risk: the sorrow of paediatric AIDS
Radlett, M.
Aids Watch 8: 2-3
1989
PMID: 12315983 Document Number: 364967
Heterosexual transmission of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is causing an epidemic in many African countries. Infected mothers are giving birth to children who have a 1 in 4 chance of developing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Although children can be infected by HIV-contaminated blood during transfusions or from dirty needles or syringes, mother-to-child (vertical or perinatal) transmission of AIDS is predominant. Scientists do not know precisely when perinatal transmission takes place. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that the risk of transmission from breastfeeding is slight, and that the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh any theoretical danger of AIDS transmission. Diagnosis of HIV disease in developing countries is not easy. Children are frequently sick. All babies born to infected mothers carry the mother's antibodies, so a positive test for HIV antibodies does not mean a baby will contact AIDS. Infants uninfected with AIDS born to seropositive mothers may have a bad chance of survival. They are more likely to be premature, have a low birth weight and a higher risk of death as newborns. In rare situations, an infant can test seronegative for HIV and be infected. This is called "silent" infection. A new diagnostic procedure--polymerase chain reaction (PCR)--tests for HIV itself, rather than for antibodies. It can accurately identify the virus' presence in otherwise healthy babies or those who are sick but lack antibodies to the virus. Western scientists believe this test will prove to be very valuable. A new US drug trial will soon test seropositive pregnant women with zidovudine, the only antiviral drug against HIV available by prescription, to see if the drug prevents perinatal transmission during pregnancy. However, these options are not for many mothers and babies in developing countries. Doctors lack basic resources to treat mothers and children with AIDS. Many African AIDS control programs advise abstinence and the use of condoms. However, most women have difficulty convincing their partners to use condom. Condoms are not always available and may not be affordable.